Jenna and Raul: Adventure Maya Ruin Elopement

Cayo, Belize

Life is full of adventure, and the romance of Jenna and Raul are a testament to what is possible. The two teachers met unexpectedly at an office kickball game, and after months of exchanged glances and messages the two started the beginning of the rest of their lives.

Much like their personalities, they knew they wanted something different for their wedding day. They wanted to capture the essence of their adventurous spirit with a day shared just between the two of them. The took a chance, and went to beautiful Belize. Not only did they elope to a small Caribbean nation, but they choose to tie-the-knot at one of the most remote places in the entire country. Caracol, which is Maya for snail, sits about 4 hours from the nearest city. The road is winding, bumpy, and often times difficult to navigate.

To cut down on the travel time, the couple stayed at a small boutique hotel nestled on 7200 acres of jungle and forest reserve. On the morning of the wedding, they ventured into the dense jungle, for the ceremony of a lifetime. Once they arrived at the ruins, they climbed the 141 feet to the top of the largest temple. In ancient times royals were married in this very location, with an audience of almost 20,000 sitting down below. Today, because of its remote location, there were only 30 or so other visitors at the entire site. A local Justice of the Peace performed an intimate ceremony, and the most unbelievable photos followed.

Once things began to wrap up, other visitors began to disperse and they had the ancient temples to themselves. After photos, the couple traveled to an even more remote dry cave, to do some exploring and sightseeing. To end the day, an impromptu trash the dress followed at sunset in some natural pools carved into stone.

It is a very rare occurrence to do a ceremony atop such historic structures, but even more rare to be able to say you were married in the same place as ancient royals. Here is to love, adventure, and the rest of your life together!